A few thoughts from…
Chrisnobel Cruz, Plan International

“The dialogue platform is a very good avenue to convene the different players who can contribute to establishing a more holistic view of anticipatory action. It is a great opportunity for people not only to share the lessons learned and good practices, but to appreciate as well the barriers that prevent the progress of the action.

“In terms of the event’s programme design, I love how the breakout sessions are set up and the variety of topics to choose from; a lot of information can be picked up from the exercises. But at the end of the day, the question and the call for action is how to operationalize these concepts, and also to bring in the voices of vulnerable sectors - such as women, young people and children - in the discussion about anticipatory action.”

Tim Woods

Highlights from day 2
‘Partnerships’ is a common term in the anticipatory action sector, but what does this really mean in practice? Which partnerships exist in Asia-Pacific countries, and what do they look like?

Breaking into national groups, participants in the ‘Battle of the partnerships’ session mapped out the networks in their country, then created a poster that would ‘sell’ their partnership model to other countries: the factors that make it special, the five-year vision they have, the challenges to achieving this, and the support needed to make these partnerships grow.

Lao PDR’s new motto was ‘Can know, can do anticipatory action’, while Nepal opted for the 3As: ‘Anticipatory action for all’. Thailand set out a five-year vision for anticipatory action partnerships that included translated materials and books, a TV series, and for anticipatory action to be included in the national curriculum. Cambodia, meanwhile, listed national sensitization, a position paper, a task force, continuing pilots, and a national roadmap as key outcomes for their partnerships.

There was, of course, a serious purpose behind the game. Establishing a better understanding of our partnerships - and especially what makes them work - will guide others in how to strengthen their own national networks for anticipatory action.

Tim Woods